Anxiety decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as an anxiety disorder, and for migraine headaches on a secondary basis to the acquired psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder NOS with alcohol abuse is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 12, 2011. The rating has been granted and the claim for a higher initial evaluation remains in appellate status.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran did not engage in combat with an enemy or have a verified stressor related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left ulnar nerve palsy is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted based on severe incomplete paralysis.,For his anxiety reaction with depressive disorder, the current 70 percent rating is maintained as it meets the criteria for this level of impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, classified as persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. The Veteran's depression is found to be superimposed upon a pre-existing personality disorder that existed prior to service and was aggravated by events during military service.

The Veteran's mood disorder NOS and anxiety disorder NOS claimed as bipolar disorder/depression have been found to result in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records review. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities, including bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. The VA examiner will provide an addendum opinion addressing whether any prior diagnoses were erroneous or in remission, and if so, whether they are related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD and his major depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, cannabis use disorder, and alcohol use disorder are not shown to be etiologically related to his active military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, primarily PTSD with features of anxiety and alcohol dependence, was found to more nearly approximate the criteria for total occupational and social impairment. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for the period prior to October 16, 2012, but also noted that his remaining service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, and dysthymia, is at least as likely as not causally related to his active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as cognitive disorder unspecified, likely major neurocognitive disorder, adjustment disorder, and anxiety disorder with PTSD features, is a result of service. Therefore, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is granted.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 90%, meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is not etiologically related to service and did not manifest within a year of separation, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA addendum opinion to determine whether his anxiety disorder and panic disorder are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, depression, and anxiety is being remanded due to the need for further development. The case will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, was manifested by no more than occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks prior to December 4, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds that there is no evidence of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's bilateral shin splints are not manifested by at least moderate knee or ankle disability, or moderately severe muscle injury. Therefore, the current noncompensable ratings for left and right leg shin splints are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and anxiety disorder, was not incurred or aggravated by active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection.